News

Hi Everyone,

Hope the summer has gone well for you. Summer here in Ellisville is coming back with a vengeance! After a week or so of very pleasant fall weather, the next 7 days are predicted to be in the 90s again, peaking at 95 on Sunday. Put away the fall blanket–bring back the summer blanket.

At the beginning of August, I had the pleasure of being one of 3 Spotlight Performers at the CSLN Coffeehouse, getting to perform a half hour set of my music. In the past, when doing a set of more than 4 songs by myself, I have had someone backing me, but this time, I accompanied myself solo on all the songs, and it went very well (I think a standing ovations qualifies for “very well”, right?). A couple of days later, I was the Guest Performer at our CSLN Sunday Service, doing 3 originals. Again, a very enthusiastic and gratifying response.

This Sunday, I will again be the Guest Performer at CSLN–my first time performing in our new home, and I am really looking forward to it. Instead of all originals, this time I will be performing at great Barry Manilow song, called “All The Time.” It is an emotionally powerful ballad that anyone who has ever felt “different”but transcended the loneliness can probably relate to. The service starts with the opening song right at 10:30 a.m.

By the way, big congrats to B. Sadler, who at the age of 91 climbed Tennessee’s 6000 foot Mt. Leconte last week. The man is truly in great shape!

And finally, our next Coffeehouse will be Friday, Oct. 3rd. We don’t have all the Spotlight Performers lined up, but one of them will be the ever popular and always amazing Shawn Gallaway, whose uplifting “Conscious Music” has been performed around the world, including for the Dalai Lama! More about the Coffeehouse to come.

Well, that’s it for this edition. Enjoy fall (whenever it gets here).

Be safe, be well, be you.

Gordon

Hi Everyone,

Just a brief post here. This Sunday, Aug. 17th, I am honored to be our last “Guest Performer” at CSLN’s Sunday Service on the Unity Campus. I will be doing three original songs during the service, starting at noon sharp. Unity is at 5125 Franklin Pike, Nashville, TN 37220.

After that, we will be holding our services at 160 Belle Forest Circle, starting Sunday, August 24th at our new time, 10:30 a.m. I hope you can make this milestone service on Sunday–Dr. Mitch Johnson will be speaking.

Be safe, be well, be you!

Hi Everyone,

I hope you are enjoying the summer. Here in Ellisville, it has been plenty hot, and humid. I think today makes 20 straight days of 90+ degree heat with at least another week to follow. With the humidity, I think the heat index has been around 400 degrees (LOL).

Though still not fully over the Bell’s Palsey that started near the end of April, I am much better. My mouth looks normal again (though there is still some slight numbness on the left side), and my voice is pretty much back, so I am performing again. I resumed my Seniors’ Residence gigs in June, was a Guest Performer at the CSLN Sunday Service a few weeks ago, and have re-scheduled my Spotlight Performer slot at the CSLN Coffeehouse from June to our upcoming Coffeehouse, which is next week. Unfortunately, the vision in my left eye, though better, has not yet fully returned, but I am optimistic that it will.

Speaking of the Coffeehouse, it will be next Friday, August 1st. We will have the Open Mic from 6:30 – 7 p.m. (Signup is at 6 p.m., with 7 slots open). Original songs, poems, stand up comedy, short stories, etc. (Maximum 5 minutes per song, story, poem, etc.). This will be followed by three Spotlight Performers, each doing a half hour set. Saralina’s music is soothing and healing; Rique is a talented singer/songwriter/actor and is a real hoot; and I will be doing a set of all original “Relevant Country”/Americana music. Please see the flyer I have copied and pasted below. This will be our last Coffeehouse at the Unity Of Nashville location, as CSLN is expected to move into our own building around Aug. 21st. The address at Unity is 5125 Franklin Pike, Nashville, 37220. Potluck snacks and drinks, and Love Offering to CSLN always appreciated. Let’s close out this last Coffeehouse at Unity with a great turnout!

And yes, CSLN will have it’s own building again in late August. No more renting–no more need to coordinate Sunday services. I know that for people living East or South of Nashville it is a bit longer drive, but probably only about 10 minutes longer then our old building was. Hope you will still come out.

Well, that’s all for this edition. Y’all stay cool. Be safe, be well, be you!

Gordon

Hi Everyone,

Seems like a long time since my last newsletter. I hope everyone had a nice Memorial Day Weekend. Summer has now unofficially begun. Meanwhile, over the past month, Tennessee has been experiencing lots of rain, some tornadoes, lots of rain, some tornadoes, and (Did I mention) lots of rain. At least the drought seems to be over.

About a month ago, seemingly out of the blue, I developed Bell’s Palsy. Not life threatening fortunately, but certainly disruptive. The left side of my face was numb and partly paralyzed. It affected my ability to chew on that side, to drink from a glass or straw unless I used my fingers to hold my lips together, and it affected my diction–especially when talking for more than 15-20 minutes. It also impacted my ability to sing–I lost vocal power and stamina and about the top 5 notes of my range. And when I talked or smiled (Or sang), it made my mouth crooked (Eeeuuu!). All of those symptoms have gotten noticeably better after 4 weeks and 4 acupuncture sessions, but I’m still not 100%, so I will continue with the acupuncture. A cortisone steroid pack did nothing to help. Apparently it needs to be prescribed in the first 72 hours, and it took 5 days to get it (Boo, hiss!).

It has also affected my left eye–I can’t close it all the way unless I close the other eye too. This causes dry eye, which over time can affect the cornea, so I have to put eye drops in every couple of hours, wear a patch over that eye and use an ointment at night to protect it, and so far the vision in that eye is still noticeably reduced, though perhaps a little better lately.

I had to cancel all my May nursing home gigs, but with my voice getting better, I hope to be able to do most of my June gigs.

No one seems to know what causers this. Some people think it is a virus or the after affect of a virus, and I did have a cold for a month, but this didn’t happen until 2 weeks after the end of my cold.

I am fortunate, in that quite a few people have offered prayers and rides, and I have accepted rides for longer distances or to places I am not familiar.

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The CSLN Coffeehouse is scheduled for Friday, June 6th. Here is the info:

I haven’t seen the first two Spotlight Performers, though I hear they are quite good, with impressive bios. I have seen Sean numerous times, and he is an inspiring songwriter with a great voice. It looks like his wife Laurie will be joining him on harmonies, and they have even asked me to sing harmonies on one song–I’m honored to.

Open Mic Sign up:  6 p.m. (7 slots available) 

Open Mic Performances:  6:30 – 7 p.m.  (Original songs, poems, short stories, stand up comedy, etc.).  Up to 5 min. per presentation

Spotlight Performers:       7 p.m.,   7:30,   8 p.m.  See flyer above.

Potluck snacks and drinks, and love offering to CSLN appreciated.

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And finally, after renting space from Unity Center for over a year, CSLN has purchased its own building in Bellevue, and will likely move in some time in August. More on that when the time gets closer, but just like with buying a home, I think owning is always better than renting–we can build equity and it is ours to use as we choose.

Okay, that’s about it for this edition.

Be Safe, Be well, Be you!

Gordon

RECENT SUCCESSFUL PERFORMANCES AT CSLN SUNDAY SERVICES; CSLN COFFEEHOUSE COMING UP APRIL 4TH; GORDON ELLIS ENSEMBLE’S DELAYED RETURN

Hi Everyone.

Well, spring has sprung here in Ellisville. That means warm one day, cold the next, heavy rains, and even tornadoes in East Tennessee. But we’ve had some really beautiful spring days too. Pick your kind of weather, then wait a minute.

I had the honor of being the Guest Performer at CSLN’s Sunday Service in February and again a few weeks ago. I really enjoyed singing with their excellent house band, and everything went over really well both times. Thanks, Larry Faragalli for inviting me back, drummer Dave McHenry, Keyboard player Mark Horwitz, bassist Don Morgan, and Larry on acoustic guitar, for helping me sound good. Also Ray Dryden on the sound and Jimmy Lopez on percussion in Feb.

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Our next CSLN Coffeehouse is coming up on Friday, April 4th. We have 3 great Spotlight Performers scheduled:

JON ROBBIN

Jon has lived in Nashville since 1984. He has had several songs recorded, including a #1 and a # 5 on the billboard charts. His other songs are also great!

MIKE WILLIAMS   

Mike hosted a very popular writers night at his home in Nashville for many years featuring hundreds of well known songwriters. A fine songwriter himself, he has also been a Kerville Folk Festival award winner.

LISA FIRESTONE:

Singer-songwriter and longtime new thought Music Director Lisa Firestone writes songs to heal heart, mind and body.  Originally from CA via FL, she enjoys musical perspectives that speak to the heart. 

Here is the pertinent info:

Open Mic Sign up:  6 p.m. (7 slots available) 

Open Mic Performances:  6:30 – 7 p.m.  (Original songs, poems, short stories, stand up comedy, etc.) Up to 5 min per presentation

Spotlight Performers: Jon Robbin, Mike Williams, Lisa Firestone, Half hour sets from 7 P.M. – 8:30

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Well, I had hoped to be getting the Gordon Ellis Ensemble back together by now, but I just learned that my keyboard player needs two more surgeries on his back, so full recovery will probably be pushed to late July at the earliest. Some people have asked why I don’t get a temporary replacement, but Arnie is more than my keyboard player–he is a long time friend, and my right hand man, doing much more at rehearsals and gigs than simply playing keyboards. I’ve chosen to wait until he is ready. I will also be looking for a new lead guitar player, as David will be spending more time on his own projects. I am looking for someone with excellent Country/Americana licks who reads Nashville Number Charts. Good harmony vocals will certainly be a plus.

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Well, that’s all for now. Thanks for reading this.

Be safe, be well, be you.

Gordon